What About Job?

Introduction

Before we can come to a full understanding of what happened in the Book of Job, we must first understand what happened at the cross. How did the cross affect humanity? More specifically, how did the cross affect believers? What does the bible mean when it talks about a new creation? What is the difference between post-cross and pre-cross?

It All Begins With Jesus

To begin to understand some of these questions, we must begin our bible study looking at Jesus. We must look at the word of God through the lens of Jesus. Luke writes of Jesus, speaking to two disciples on the road to Cleopas, Luke 24:27 (KJV 1900) - “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” So, when we go to the bible - if we are not seeing Jesus - we are seeing the wrong thing! We must get our orientation correct through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Things We Need to Know - Before Job!

What does the bible say about Jesus? What does the bible say about the new birth? I need to know who I am IN CHRIST before I tackle the many questions raised by the Book of Job! So, who am I?

1. I am a new creature IN CHRIST.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

What does this mean?

A new creature?

Old things are passed away?

All things are become new?

2. I am the righteousness of God IN HIM

2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV 1900

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

What does this mean?

He was made to be sin for me . . .

That I might be made the righteousness of God in Him?

How did Job fit into all this? Was he part of this new creation? How does this all change the situation with Job as it relates to me?

3. Christ lives in me

Galatians 2:20 KJV 1900

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

So, this is my reality? How does this differ from Job’s reality? Could Job say the same thing - that he was crucified with Christ and that Christ lived in him? Had Job been made the righteousness of God in Christ? What was Job’s relationship with Christ - or, did Job have a personal relationship with Christ?

4. I am justified by faith

Romans 5:1 KJV 1900

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

I have been justified by faith - and I have peace with God - through my Lord Jesus Christ! Was this true of Job?

5. I have peace with God - THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

Romans 5:1 KJV 1900

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

This is my reality! I need to understand this reality before I jump into the book of Job.

6. I am ACCEPTED by God

Ephesians 1:6 KJV 1900

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

I have been made accepted unto God the Father by Jesus Christ. Not only have I been made accepted - I am seated with Him in heavenly places . . .

7. I am SEATED WITH HIM in heavenly places

Ephesians 2:6 KJV 1900

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Romans 8:32 KJV 1900

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

My REALITY IN CHRIST

This is my reality through Jesus Christ. This was not Job’s reality! God gave us His only Son, Jesus! Everything else pales in comparison to this Gift! He gave us Jesus - everything else comes with Jesus - this is what is known as GRACE! Jesus plus nothing equals everything!All His promises are yes and amen! His promises are always on - they are always green lights!

All of His promises to me are yea and amen (I Corinthians 1:20)!

I are a new creation created in righteousness (Eph 4:24).

I am accepted into the beloved (Ephesians 1:6).

I are seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6)

Jesus came that I might have life and have life more abundantly (John 10:10)

He has given me exceeding precious promises (II Peter 1:2-4).

I have a better covenant - (Hebrews 8:6).

I have Jesus as my Intercessor (Romans 8:34).

Every good gift and every perfect gift is mine through Jesus (James 1:7).

His desire for me is that I might escape the corruption that is in the world (II Peter 1:4)

With this as foundation, we are now ready to look at the book of Job. How does all this fit into Job? We have all quoted, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away (Job 1:21).” When anything happens that we don’t understand, we tend to quote this verse! God didn’t say this! Job said this - and, at the end of the book we find Job repenting for saying this - he was speaking out of ignorance.

This is not my verse! What is my verse?

John 10:10 KJV 1900

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

God is not the thief! Jesus came that we might have life! What should I do? He told me what to do!

Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV 1900

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Job was not in a covenant with God - and he lived in fear! He had nothing to protect him other than the integrity of his own heart. Job did not have a full knowledge of God. In his heart he was doing the best that he could.

Job did not live under the law. If there is no law, sin is not imputed (Romans 4:15). This is why God could consider him righteous - he was not breaking any laws - there was no law! It wasn’t necessarily that he was doing everything right - there was no law for him to break!

Job’s accuser - Satan, was the god of this world! This was true the moment that Adam sinned! Originally, Adam and Eve were to have dominion over and rule the earth! At the moment of their sin, their authority and dominion transitioned to the one to whom they submitted authority to - Satan! Paul referred to him as the prince of the power of the air in Ephesians 2:2). Peter referred to him as a roaring lion seeking those he could devour in I Peter 5:8. Satan took over man’s job (or having dominion over and ruling the earth) at the point of their sin!

So, when Satan came before God and accused Job - he was doing what he had a right to do - he was the god of this world! He was man’s legal representative!

Job 1:6–12 KJV 1900

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

Temptations never come from God!

James 1:13 KJV 1900

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

The word for tempted also means tested! Let no man say when he is tested, I am tested of God: for God cannot be tempted by evil [a very important declaration]! So, whatever is taking place in the Book of Job between God and Satan - we have learned from James - a superior revelation - that God cannot be tempted with evil! So, God is not being tempted by Satan in the book of Job - He can’t be according to James! Something else is obviously going on here but it is not God being tempted by Satan! Satan was the god of this world and everything was under his domain. As such, he had access to humans. Why did he go before God and request permission to go after Job? It could be that he observed the blessing of God on Job and he didn’t know what to do with that?

Regardless, Job was blessed because of the sincerity of his heart - not because of a covenant; not because of his knowledge. Satan saw his blessing and approached God about it, but he was not tempting God with evil - or we will simply have to throw out James 1:13! And, if James 1:13 is not true - then we would have to question the validity of the entire scripture!

Eight Differences Between Job and the New Testament Christian

Job did not have a covenant with God. Job was blessed but he was not in a covenant with God - he was, more or less, on his own (so to speak). Abraham was and we see that covenant in Genesis 12-15. We have the best covenant! We have a covenant written in the blood of Jesus!

Job had no knowledge of Satan. He was not aware of Satan who went about seeking whom he could devour! Job assumed that everything, both good and evil, came from God! Many Christians feel that God is in complete control of everything, both good and evil, that happens in our lives and that whatever will be, will be! That is not what the Bible teaches. In Job 2:10 we are told that Job did not “sin with his lips,” then he proceeds to do that very thing over 70 times in the rest of the book, accusing God of creating evil (see Job 6:4 as an example of one of these times - and gives us Job’s perception of God). In this verse Job is accusing God “. . . for the arrows of the Almighty are with me . . .” Later, Paul who had a superior revelation, tells us that the fiery darts are from the enemy (Ephesians 6:16).

Job had a very limited knowledge of God. Watch this . . .

Job 42:1–5 (KJV 1900) - Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, And that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel Without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; Things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: But now mine eye seeth thee.

Job 42:1–5 (ESV) - Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;

Throughout the book of Job, Job is speaking out of the vacuum of his head. He did not know the things he was speaking of! He had a very limited knowledge of God! Watch verse 5 . . . I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear - but now my eye sees you!

The Amplified Bible, “I had heard of you (only) by the hearing of the ear, but now my (spiritual) eye sees you!

The Message Bible, “I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand - from my own eyes and ears!

Job had second-hand information about God! When God showed up and revealed Himself, Job responded:

Job 42:6 (ESV) - therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

Job was grieved by the dumb things he had said! Job had a very limited knowledge of God, and in his mind he believed that all good and evil came from God! Why? Because he had no covenant and he had no knowledge of the Devil.

Job was not born again! Before we can understand anything else, we must understand what happened on the cross! We must understand II Corinthians 5:17 . . .

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

All of the things that I have IN CHRIST - Job did not have! Job was pre-cross; I am post-cross!

Job had no spiritual weapons. Job had no covenant! He was weaponless! Christ had not yet come; therefore, Job did not have the blood of Christ; he did not have the name of Christ; he did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit! He did not have the armor of God! He had nothing with which to fight! He was powerless. He did not have the promise we have that if we will resist the devil he will flee from us (James 4:7).

Job worshipped God in ignorance. Job 1:5 (KJV 1900) - “And it was so, when the days of their feasting [birthday celebrations] were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.” Nowhere in the scripture does it tell us we are supposed to give sacrifices for our children just in case they had sinned! Job was making this up as he went along. How are we to worship?

John 4:24 KJV 1900

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

In Spirit. Means we are born again. 1 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV 1900) - But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. You cannot worship in the Spirit if you are not born again.

In truth. Truth is Jesus! Jesus said in John 14:6 (KJV 1900) - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. You can’t worship God apart from Jesus!

Job was neither worshipping in spirit nor in truth! He lived in fear and made up things as he went. He sacrificed - just in case - his children had sinned!

Job lived in fear. Job 3:25-26 (KJV 1900) - For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, And that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came! Rest comes in knowing who I am IN CHRIST! Job did not have Jesus!

This is what I have IN CHRIST . . .

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV 1900

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I am a new creature in Christ Jesus . . .

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Job had no Intercessor. Instead of having an Intercessor - Job had an accuser! Jesus is my Intercessor - Satan has been defeated!

Hebrews 10:11–14 KJV 1900

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Jesus is my Intercessor . . .

Hebrews 7:25 KJV 1900

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Romans 8:34 KJV 1900

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Here is an interesting illustration from David Guzik . . .

It is as if we stand as the accused in the heavenly court, before our righteous Judge, God the Father. Our Advocate stands up to answer the charges: “He is completely guilty your honor. In fact, he has even done worse than what he is accused of, and now makes full and complete confession before You.” The gavel slams, and the Judge asks, “What should his sentence be?” Our Advocate answers, “His sentence shall be death; he deserves the full wrath of this righteous court.” All along, our accuser Satan, is having great fun at all this. We are guilty! We admit our guilt! We see our punishment! But then, our Advocate asks to approach the bench. As he draws close to the Judge, he simply says: “Dad, this one belongs to Me. I paid his price. I took the wrath and punishment from this court that he deserves.” The gavel sounds again, and the Judge cries out, “Guilty as charged! Penalty satisfied!” Our accuser starts going crazy. “Aren’t you even going to put him on probation?” “No!” the Judge shouts. “The penalty has been completely paid by My Son. There is nothing to put him on probation for.” Then the Judge turns to our Advocate, and says, “Son, you said this one belongs to You. I release him into Your care. Case closed!” [David Guzik, 1 John, David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible (Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik, 2013), 1 Jn 2:1b–2.]

So, What About Job?

How do we respond to this question?

Job wasn’t born of a virgin;

Job wasn’t full of the Holy Spirit;

Job didn’t heal the sick nor set the captive free;

Job didn’t defeat Satan;

Job didn’t die for my sins;

Job didn’t descent into the lowest parts of the earth and take the keys of hell and death;

Job didn’t rise from the dead;

Job didn’t take His blood into the tabernacle of God;

Job didn’t sit down at the right hand of God;

Job didn’t send the Holy Spirit to empower the church;

Job didn’t give the gifts of the Spirit to men;

Job didn’t promise His future return to judge His enemies;

Jesus did all of this! So, when people say, “What about Job?” We can respond, “Well, what about Jesus?” Why jump over all of the benefits of the New Covenant and go to the book of Job to get my theology? We simply need to understand the new birth; we need to understand what Jesus did for us on the cross. We need to understand the finished work of Christ!

I am not a Jobian - I am a Christian! I am not a Job-follower; I am a Christ-follower! The Book of Job shows what it looks like to be a Christian that doesn’t know God.